A rapid development in the fi eld of materials, installations and construction technologies has been observed for decades. Consequently, the research carried out in terms of various categories allows for the implementation and application of many innovative solutions to the construction.
The construction development is primarily determined by the availability of new materials and their application, which becomes a major determinant of progress and innovation. Nevertheless, the interest in the introduction of new materials to the construction industry is not decreasing.
Even though successively introduced European standards in Poland aim at imposing the requirements in terms of materials, while they still treat briefl y the quality and quantity of the ingredients used in the composition.
The knowledge of the physico-mechanical and physico-chemical properties of materials enables the selection of a more suitable and economical way of their application. At the same time, the properties of the materials must be related to the physical processes that occur in materials used to build various objects.
Thus the materials determine such factors as the comfort of use, durability, safety, impact on man and the surrounding environment. Consequently, while introducing new materials and technologies, it is necessary to take sustainable development into account since it reduces CO2 emissions and becomes more environmentally friendly for man.
This monograph constitutes a collection of articles in the area of materials, installations and construction technologies. In more than 20 articles, the authors present examples of solutions that allow to obtain a lot of information and knowledge on materials which are important from both the scientifi c and technical point of view.
More importantly, the solutions are copyrighted since they result from experiments and theoretical research related to the areas of concern. The information and solutions described in the articles can be used as a study aid not only to students of architecture and civil engineering, but also for civil engineers involved in the design and construction of buildings and specialists in the area of engineering science.
